I walked out my Minneapolis home this morning and I smelled dirt. I don't know how you describe to someone what dirt smells like, but once you smell it, you know the smell of dirt. As a Gardner smelling dirt is a definite sign of spring. The snow has melted. Here in Minneapolis we had 88 days straight of 3" or more of snow. The sun is warming up the soil. A farmer
must feel so hopeful as he smells the dirt. It means he or she is ready to get to work and see the miracle of the soil bring a seed to life and have a plant grow.
We take dirt for granted. We should not. Those who live in the heart of major cities have concrete covering their dirt so they do not experience what I do. People living in flood zones this spring are watching their dirt being washed downstream. The benefactor will be those living miles away. Desserts offer sand not dirt to those living there. In the corn belt, where I live, our dirt is the best. Go a bit north of Minneapolis and you lose this fertile soil. I might live in the metro area, but I do drive out and see the rows and rows of corn and soy beans that are so much a part of the Minnesota economy.
The prairies in the 1800's ,especially after the Civil War ,brought people to our area to farm. We did not have all the trees of the eastern states, so fields of crops were easier to establish. The glacier built our great lake of Lake Superior, drew the lines for rivers to flow, and dropped lots and lots of rich soil here. So very many years ago the definition of who we would be in Minneapolis was created. People took this gift and made us who we are today.
So, I walk out my door and smell my dirt. It is in the air. I don't need to bend down to sniff it. The odor is everywhere. It is why my dog raises his nose to the wind and sniffs and sniffs. He has even greater senses and can smell so much more. It is why when I ride my horse he goes crazy this time of year. The snow recedes and leaves behinds so many smells to be blown by the winds of March. Go outside and breathe deeply. You will be rewarded by the smell of dirt. Do is soon, as this wonderful sense will soon be gone.
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